Targeted for beginning and novice players, this step-by-step approach uses more than 100 actual chess diagrams to bring out the excitement of chess and shows players an easy method of learning and playing. Players learn the basics principles of opening, middle and end game strategies, winning principles of development and pawn structure, different ways to checkmate opponents, and the important openings and defenses. Readers also learn how to join a chess club, use a chess clock, get rated, enter tournaments, and use notation to both record their own games and play back others. Two completely annotated games show readers how strategic thinking is used in a game. More than 100,000 books sold! 100,000 copies later confirms that this book hit a perfect niche - an easy-to-read book on learning chess.